AACTA Awards 2025: Better Man Wins Best Film, Boy Swallows Universe Dominates TV Categories

AACTA Awards 2025: Better Man Wins Best Film, Boy Swallows Universe Dominates TV Categories

The AACTA Awards 2025 shone brightly on the breath taking Gold Coast on 7 February. Expectations were high, and the stars were out to shine. Actress Emma Corrine won the Best Message Award, while the ceremony also played host to numerous other Australian film and television wins that had audiences on their feet. Better Man took home the coveted Best Film award, and Boy Swallows Universe dominated the TV prize, ensuring its place in Aussie pop culture.

Better Man Takes the Crown: Best Movie Winner

As we move on to our winners, Better Man stepped up to the plate and took home Best Film. The biopic, which followed the life and career of iconic singer Robbie Williams, not only tugged at the heartstrings but also proved that the Australian film industry is stacked with talent and creativity.

The Story behind Better Man

Better Man is, at its simplest, a gripping tale of the rise and rise of the world’s biggest pop star, Robbie Williams, who, by his admission, isn’t the easiest pop star to deal with. This film examines the bright side, but also the darker side, ubiquitous to feelings of fame, self-preservation, and abject mortification. Darkly funny and deeply serious, it will resonate with anyone who’s ever had dreams too big to succeed. The energetic performances and beautiful cinematography draw the audience into Williams’ life as the experience of every success and failure resides in their body.

Critical Reception and Audience Response

Better Man drew immediate acclaim from critics, who praised its powerful storytelling and emotional depth. Much was made of Jonnop Davies, who played the lead, and his ability to bring real vulnerability to the role. Fans became enthralled in the experience through music and emotion, making it a must-have." It resonated with so many that it went on to not only perform extremely well at the box office but was also highly regarded across the board.

Major Awards for Better Man

Better Man was just getting started, though, beyond Best Film. It left the ceremony with a healthy haul of nine awards, including:

• Best Actor for Jonnop Davies

• Best Director is Michael Graney.

• Best Editing

• Best Original Score

• Best Casting

The wins reflect the film's reception, as well as the efforts of the talented team behind it.

Boy Swallows Universe: From Readers to Viewers

As Better Man lit up the film categories, Boy Swallows Universe ruled the television sections. An adaptation of Trent Dalton’s bestselling novel, this show featured remarkable storytelling and reinvigorated the Australian television scene.

Awards Breakdown: Boy Swallows Universe

Taking home a whopping twelve awards, Boy Swallows Universe was nominated for every category. Key wins included:

• Best Miniseries

• Best Lead Actor, Felix Cameron

• Best Direction

• Best Cinematography

• Best Production Design

This is a testament to the series’ ability to satiate both the media and even the fans.

Effect on Australian TV

Boy Swallows Universe raised the bar for Australian television. Its success embodies a wider trend in storytelling that favours breadth, complexity, and emotional authenticity. Delivering an engrossing story and strong characters, it’s a refreshing reminder that Australian narratives aren’t just local experiences—they land globally.

Other Major Winners and Highlights

Some from the bunch also received their due while the focus was on the big winners.

Major Winners in Other Categories

With a slew of categories at the AACTA Awards event, amazing talent across the industry was showcased. Furious: A Mad Max Saga won in various categories, including action cinematography and sound design. In Blockbuster, Memoir of a Snail won Best Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver) and Best Lead Actress (Sarah Snook), showcasing the depth of talent in Australian cinema.

Role of Key Personalities

The evening also honoured some of the people who have defined the industry. And they said to the Working Dog comedy team, the Longford Lyell Award for their significant impact on film and television. The ceremony also celebrated the importance of supporting the creativity and innovation of the Australian screen community.

What Lies Ahead: Australian Film and Television Coming Down the Pipeline

Australian film and television have an exciting future ahead of them thanks to Better Man and Boy Swallows Universe. These wins signal a shift towards storytelling that speaks to audiences both at home and abroad. With unique stories finally being told, Australian cinema could soon be more colourful than ever. Will we get more biopics, thrillers, or heart-warming dramas? The anticipation is palpable.

If young filmmakers and creators know there is an audience hungry for authentic storytelling, then the success of these productions should only embolden them even further to find a way to bring their ideas to life.

Conclusion

Tonight was a marriage of celebration, recognition, and excitement at the AACTA Awards 2025 for the Australian screen industry. The legacies of Better Man and Boy Swallows Universe are sure to inspire the next generation of screen storytellers, with extraordinary performances and palpable powers of storytelling. With the industry continuing to flourish, audiences will be crowning even more compelling stories that showcase the colourful tapestry of Australia. There’s a bright future ahead and stories yet to be told.